Orix Buffaloes Ryo Ota infielder (24) vowed to promote his hometown "dar class" on August 8. He paid a courtesy visit to his hometown Habikino City Hall in Osaka, where Mayor Yamairibata requested that Ota "would be happy to promote the city" like Darvish (Padres), who also serves as a "Habikino Cheering Ambassador. In response, he immediately introduced the city's specialty products.

"The more you chew it, the more umami it releases. I think it's a great snack (to go with alcohol)," he said, giving his stamp of approval to smoked horse meat "Saiboshi." He revealed that it has been his soul food since middle school, and said, "That sounds like a good idea!", suggesting that it could be made into a stadium gourmet dish at Kyocera Dome. He also visited City Hall in January 2013, and that year he made great strides, hitting .283 in 113 games, fourth in the league, with 10 Home Run and 52 RBI, both of which were career highs. At this auspicious place, he promised, "I hope to achieve results that I can return home proud of every time."

"During the season, my lower back tends to hurt quite easily. I want to reconsider how I use my body," he said, aiming to play in every game for the first time in his eighth year as a professional. He also started Pilates in the offseason of 2025. "I hope that by doing well, I can spread the word about Habikino," he said, carrying Minamikawachi's hopes and aiming for even greater heights. (Nambu Shunta)

〇…Mugitani vowed to make a leap forward in his "Year of the Horse" year. The 2024 first-outfielder was born in the "Year of the Horse," which is also this year's zodiac sign. On this day, he was training in Maishima, Osaka, and declared, "My goal is to play in 100 games. I will not forget my strong desire to become a regular player." In his first year as a professional in 2025, he played in 79 games and had a team-leading 12 stolen base. "(Do you want to run like a horse?) Let's do that (laughs)," he said, intending to bring momentum to the team with his blazing speed, which allows him to run 50 meters in 5.85 seconds.